Kentucky Derby Live Stream 2015: Vital Viewing Info for 141st Run for the Roses
The Kentucky Derby is the premier event in horse racing, and fans can enjoy the 141st Run for the Roses from almost anywhere thanks to NBC's live streaming service.
For those who are unable to catch the most exciting two minutes in sports on television, watching on a computer or mobile device is as easy as ever. Based on how many top-flight horses and jockeys there are in the field at Churchill Downs, this is one Derby that sports fans won't want to miss.
Ahead of Saturday's big race, here is everything you need to know about when and how to watch the Kentucky Derby as well as further information regarding some of the top contenders.
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Schedule, Viewing Info and Derby Field
Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, May 2, at 6:24 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
| 1 | 2 | Ocho Ocho Ocho | Elvis Trujillo | Jim Cassidy |
| 2 | 3 | Carpe Diem | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 3 | 4 | Materiality | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher |
| 4 | 5 | Tencendur | Manny Franco | George Weaver |
| 5 | 6 | Danzig Moon | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse |
| 6 | 7 | Mubtaahij | Christophe Soumillon | Mike de Kock |
| 7 | El Kabeir | Calvin Borel | ||
| 8 | 8 | Dortmund | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert |
| 9 | 9 | Bolo | Rafael Bejarano | Carla Gaines |
| 10 | 10 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan |
| 11 | Stanford | Florent Geroux | ||
| 12 | International Star | Miguel Mena | ||
| 13 | 11 | Itsaknockout | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher |
| 14 | 12 | Keen Ice | Kent Desormeaux | Dale Romans |
| 15 | 13 | Frosted | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin |
| 16 | 14 | War Story | Joe Talamo | Tom Amoss |
| 17 | 15 | Mr. Z | Ramon Vazquez | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 18 | 16 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert |
| 19 | 17 | Upstart | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette Jr. |
| 20 | 18 | Far Right | Mike Smith | Ron Moquett |
| 21 | 19 | Frammento | Corey Nakatani | Nick Zito |
Horses to Watch
Dortmund
Trainer Bob Baffert has a pair of big-time horses entered into the Kentucky Derby field with an excellent chance to win, and that includes the dominant and undefeated Dortmund.
Another horse has yet to best the three-year-old colt, and he will look to keep that streak going at Churchill Downs. Fellow Baffert horse American Pharoah looks to be his closest competition, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them battling for the win down the stretch.
While American Pharoah has established himself as the favorite, Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated is among those who are sticking with Dortmund:
A big reason for that may be Dortmund's size in relation to the other horses. According to Kendrick Haskins of WAVE 3 in Louisville, Dortmund is undoubtedly the largest horse in the entire field:
That means Dortmund has more weight to carry, but he is also stronger than everyone else. Since the Kentucky Derby doesn't test stamina as much as a race like the Belmont Stakes, size should work in Dortmund's favor.
It won't be a walk in the park by any means, but it is tough to argue with the notion that Dortmund has a physical advantage over his competitors.
American Pharoah
Despite everything that Dortmund has accomplished thus far, much of the buzz entering the Derby is focused on American Pharoah.
Not only is he the preferred choice to win the Run for the Roses, but some also view him as a potential all-time great. According to Darren Rogers of Churchill Downs PR, longtime clocker Gary Young paid the ultimate compliment to the spectacular colt:
Another person who sees something in American Pharoah is jockey Victor Espinoza. Per Daniel Ross of The Guardian, Espinoza has known that American Pharoah can achieve greatness ever since the first time he saddled him:
"American Pharoah, he's special, very special. ... The main reason I say that he's special is because the way he broke his maiden in a Grade I on only his second ever start. I don't think I've ever ridden a horse that won a Grade I as a maiden. And the way he won, it was so impressive.
"
American Pharoah has never gone up against a horse the caliber of Dortmund, so it remains to be seen how he will match up with another elite colt.
He may have a slight advantage, though, as Espinoza is the defending Derby-winning jockey. He has won the race on two occasions over the course of his storied career, and American Pharoah may very well be the best horse he has ever ridden.
Firing Line
Outside of Dortmund and American Pharoah, there are several horses that could potentially emerge as contenders Saturday. Picking just one is no easy task, but there is a lot to like about Firing Line in particular.
The Simon Callaghan-trained horse is coming off an easy win at the Sunland Derby after running second to Dortmund in consecutive races. Although he hasn't managed to overtake Dortmund quite yet, he has proved capable of hanging with him.
In addition to that, Hall of Fame jockey and three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens will guide Firing Line. According to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, Stevens believes Firing Line ranks right up there with any of his previous Derby mounts:
There isn't a ton of hype surrounding Firing Line despite that declaration, but that certainly doesn't bother Stevens, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.
"It's kind of nice to be flying under the radar a little bit," Stevens said.
Firing Line won't be anonymous any longer if he manages to outrun both Dortmund and American Pharoah Saturday, so bettors may want to get him at a solid price while they still can.
If any horse aside from Baffert's dynamic duo is going to win the 141st Kentucky Derby, the peripherals suggest that Firing Line is the likeliest candidate.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
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